Storm Austen Power Cut? What to Do and How to Stay Safe Electrically (Essex 2026)

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is bringing strong winds to Essex today. The Met Office has a yellow wind warning in place from 10am to 9pm on Friday 23 October, covering the whole county, including Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. So what should you do if the power goes off, and when do you need an electrician rather than the network operator? This guide is accurate as of 23 October 2026. If you have an electrical emergency at home or at work, call CPW Electrical Solutions on 07545 571230.

What is the Met Office warning for Essex?

According to the Met Office warning issued on 22 October 2026:

• Gusts of around 45 to 55mph are possible inland during Friday daytime, with a spell of inland gales.

• Locally heavy rain and trees still in full leaf mean there is potential for some power outages and travel disruption.

• Some short-term loss of power and other services is possible.

Warnings can change quickly, so check the Met Office website for the latest.

What should I do if I have a power cut?

First, find out whether it is just your property or the whole area. The Energy Networks Association advises:

• Report the power cut to your network operator. In Essex this is UK Power Networks. Call 105 free, or check its online power cut map.

• Keep a mobile phone charged and a torch handy. Avoid candles where you can.

• Switch off appliances that shouldn't be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.

• Leave one light switched on so you know when the supply is back.

• Check on neighbours, especially older or vulnerable people.

Is it a power cut or has my trip switch gone?

If your neighbours still have power, the problem may be inside your property. The Energy Networks Association notes that your trip switch may have activated. Look at your consumer unit (fuse box). If a switch or RCD has tripped, you can try switching it back on once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call an electrician. Repeated tripping can point to a fault, such as rainwater getting into outside lights or sockets.

What if I see damaged power lines or a fallen cable?

Stay well away and keep other people away. Do not touch it or anything it is touching. Report it to your network operator on 105. If there is an immediate risk to life, call 999.

Is it safe to use a generator during a power cut?

Only if it is used correctly. Never connect a portable generator to your home's wiring by plugging it into a socket. A generator that supplies a house must be connected through a proper changeover arrangement installed by a competent electrician, so it cannot feed back into the network. Run generators outdoors, away from windows and doors.

Will my solar panels or home battery keep the power on?

Not usually on their own. Standard grid-connected solar systems are designed to switch off during a power cut, so they do not feed power into a network that engineers may be working on. Many home batteries also shut down unless they were designed and installed to provide backup. If you want some of your circuits to keep running during a power cut, ask about backup at the design stage. CPW is a certified Tesla Powerwall installer and can explain the options for your home. See our solar and battery page.

What should I check after the storm?

Once the wind has dropped, take a look around your property from the ground:

• Outside lights, sockets, CCTV cameras and cables on walls or fences that may have been damaged.

• Solar panels, cables and isolators on the roof or outbuildings. Do not go on the roof yourself.

• EV chargers and supplies to garden rooms or sheds.

• Any burning smell, scorch marks or buzzing from the consumer unit.

If anything looks damaged, switch it off at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so, and get it checked. An electrical inspection can confirm whether your installation is safe after storm or water damage. See our electrical testing and compliance page and our EICR page.

What about businesses?

Businesses should check outside lighting, signage, CCTV and rooftop equipment after strong winds. See our commercial electrician and industrial electrician pages.

FAQ

Who do I call in a power cut in Essex?

Call 105, the free power cut number, or check UK Power Networks' online power cut map. Call 999 if there is a danger to life.

When should I call an electrician instead?

If your neighbours have power but you don't, if your trip switch keeps tripping, or if you can see damage to your own wiring or equipment.

Does a home battery work in a power cut?

Only if it has been designed and installed to provide backup. Ask about this before you buy.

Talk to us

CPW Electrical Solutions is an electrical contractor based in Thurrock, NICEIC Approved (607863000) and MCS certified (NIC602214), and a certified installer of Tesla Powerwall batteries and Tesla Wall Connector chargers. We work across Essex, including Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham and Upminster. See the areas we cover.

We offer a 24-hour emergency electrical call-out service. For anything else, call 07545 571230 (answered 7am to 7pm) or request a quote. We carry £2m public liability and £300k professional indemnity insurance.